New Delhi – After the handover of the first ‘Tejas’ Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in January, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has now made an order of 24 additional F404-GE-IN20 from General Electric Aviation. These 24 after-burning engines would power the first operational squadron of Tejas LCA. These GE 404 IN 20 will be for Tejas Mark -1 LCA only while the 99 engines which were ordered earlier were GE 414-INS6 for Tejas Mark-II.
In January, the Tejas LCA was fitted with the F-404-GE-IN20 engine on a trial basis to conduct the final flight testing evaluation. The F404-GE-IN20 is the highest rated F404 model by General Electric and includes a higher-flow fan, increased thrust, a Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) system, single-crystal turbine blades and a variety of single-engine features. The Tejas LCA has been accorded with the initial operational clearance (IOC) earlier this year.
According to the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the indigenous Kaveri engine maybe ready for installation in 2018.
As for the IAF, it has ordered 40 Tejas Mark I LCA and expressed keenness to acquire 100 of the Tejas Mark II version. Tejas LCA has received restricted initial operational clearance in January this year but the full clearance will only happen by December 2012. Some of the main requirements for full clearance include the integration of a beyond-visual-range missile and an increase in the angle of attack from the current 20-22 degrees to about 24 degrees.
Meanwhile, India has indicated its choice of Israel’s Derby missile as the weapon for Tejas LCA and a contract to this effect is expected to be signed soon. Israeli major Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Limited would supply the air-to-air missile system to be fitted on some 200 aircraft. Since the integration of a missile in Tejas LCA is a pre-requisite for final clearance, these missiles will be delivered by mid-2012. Without the missiles integrated in LCA, its mission capability cannot be fully gauged.
Meanwhile, there is growing scepticism on whether the final operational clearance (FOC) for India’s LCA Tejas will come by December 2012. Although the DRDO and Tejas project authorities have assured clearance by then, the ground reality is that the certification process is extremely tedious and time-consuming since it will entail testing of every component with thorough procedures. Since the testing will be rigorous and include an array of systems and equipment, the deadline maybe pushed further.
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